Our Philosophy

"If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities and so weave a less arbirary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place."

- Margaret Mead

Universal Design and the Socio-Political Model of Disability

The Disability Resource Center's mission and purpose is driven by principles of Universal Design and the Socio-Political Model of disability. Through ongoing exploration and consultation provided to faculty, administration and departments within the University, the Disability Resource Center strives to promote this systemic change. This ideology is best explained by the information below, produced by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).

A New Paradigm of Service Provision and Identity

In the past, many disability service providers built their service and philosophical constructs on the tenets of the medical or rehabilitation model. Although this has been effective in most cases in providing programmatic access and accommodations for individuals one person at a time, it reinforces a "separate but equal" system rather than full inclusion within a community of peers. It does not provide an avenue for the development of self-determination or disability pride for the person receiving services. This model does not take into account that the environment and the curriculum design often limit the full participation of disabled individuals.

Conceptual Models of Disability

Medical Model (OLD)

Interactional/Socio-Political Model (NEW)

Disability is a deficiency or abnormality

Disability is a difference

Being disabled is negative

Being disabled, in itself, is neutral

Disability resides in the individual

Disability derives from the interaction betweenthe individual and society

The remedy for disability-related problemsis cure or normalization of the individual

The remedy for disability-related problems is a change in the interaction between the individual and society

The agent of remedy is the professional

The agent of remedy is the individual, an advocate,or anyone who affects the arrangements betweenthe individual and society

Carol J. Gill, Chicago Institute of Disability Research

Embracing New Constructs

The interactional/socio-political model works extremely well with the principles of Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning. For the first time, true societal, environmental and learning barriers, which historically were not acknowledged by the old medical model, are now placed in their proper perspective. It is the environment as well as societal and institutional beliefs which limit our ability to be successful and spontaneous throughout our individual life journeys.